Volcano Eruption

[underoath437]

I posted this on bucknuts, but i thought i would pass it along here:

So if you guys remember i said i was going to go to the beach last night. well that all changed around 9 PM when i learned that one of the volcanoes near by decided to blow its top. Tungurahua is the name of it and is definately blowing its top. It is one of the biggest eruptions in recent history here in ecuador as it is located in the middle part of the country.

To continue, the ash has spread to approximately 1/4 of the entire country and the largest city, Guayaquil, and most of the major ports along the coast have ash on them as we speak. The volcano, last i heard, was still erupting and will probably continue for a few days. Already one major road has been destroyed by the lava and the smoke has reached heights of over 6km and probably is still rising.

The place where i was going to go, Manta and Montichristi are covered in ash from what i have been told so it is a blessing that we decided to not risk it. they made it sound like we could have made it last night, but apparently it is a lot stronger than originally thought. The one good news is that Quito, where i am, is fine, with just more than normal cloud cover. Either way i figured i would pass this along, since i have no idea if it is on the news up there or not.

It is both frightening and exciting at the same time to actually see and be a part of this. Just passing on some news.

 

[gregorylee]

Sounds like you're fine, but stay safe and don't take any uneccessary risks. This doesn't affect your return plans does it?

 

[underoath437]

As of right now it does not affect my return plans as the airport here in Quito is open and should still be fine on Monday when i come back. However, we don´t know what is going to happen since volcanoes are as unpredictable as hurricanes, so there needs to be is a shift in the wind to threathen our area. they just showed pictures and the city of guayaqui looks like the city is fine, but the air is really heavy and you can barely see.

i am doing fine, and i thank God that we didn´t go last night or who knows what would have happened.

 

[scooter1369]

Scary stuff. A lot people don't realize the dangers of volcanic eruptions. The sulphur clouds and other noxious fumes kill more than the lava does. The ash on the ground and smoke and ash in the atmosphere have long lasting effects on the enviroment, plant and animal life.

Hope you get out of there safely. I'm just jealous you made it to Ecuador. I hear its beautiful.